Protestant Reformed Churches
"Proclaiming the True Passion of
Christ"
To whom he
showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of
them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts
1:3)
For Christ also
hath once suffered for sins, the just of the unjust, that he might bring us to
God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. (I
Peter 3:18)
This
past Wednesday, February 25, 2004, with much promotion and acclaim from
Protestant and Roman Catholic churches the Mel Gibson film “The Passion of the
Christ” began its public showing. It purports to tell by way of dramatic
characters and images the true Biblical story of the suffering of Jesus Christ.
In graphic detail it points the viewer to the immense and incredible physical
suffering Jesus endured in the last twelve hours of his life.
Most
professing Christians and churches are excited about the film and its prospects
for evangelizing the world. Many Evangelical and Catholic leaders are hailing
it as the greatest opportunity for the spread of the gospel since the times of
the apostles! Now at last the message of Christ's suffering and death can reach
the lost and gain them to the Lord! That explains why churches also throughout
West Michigan have reserved special showings at area theaters. People must see
this film! It will be a life-changing experience!
But
we are not so excited. In fact, we condemn the movie and urge all true
Christians NOT to see it. Not simply because it may have inaccuracies and
additions that distort the true account of Christ's suffering (which it does -
it is a Roman Catholic film endorsed by the pope - something every true
Protestant should reject!). Not because
it may stir up anti-Jewish feelings on the part of Gentiles. There is no reason
for this, because all peoples of the world are equally represented in those who
put Jesus to death in that first century A.D. (Pontius Pilate and the soldiers
were Gentiles who acted in full accord with the Jewish crowd that cried for his
crucifixion.).
No,
we condemn this movie for three main reasons. 1st, because it is
blasphemous to portray Christ's suffering and death in this way. We believe
Jesus Christ was not only real man but also true God - the eternal Son of God
in human flesh! No man may portray this Christ either via an actor or any
physical image. To do so is to blaspheme the Son of God and deny His great
glory and power. That is what God means by His 2nd commandment - no
graven images of Him, and that includes His Son.
2nd,
because the film fails to reveal the heart of the gospel - the once-for-all
atoning and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Christ's suffering was not merely
physical; it was chiefly spiritual. It was a suffering in soul and body of the
eternal wrath of God for the sins of His people. From that point of view
Christ's suffering must not simply stir up feelings of sympathy for him. It
must break our hard hearts and lead us to repentance and faith in Him!
And
3rd, because this film is not God's ordained means for the salvation
of sinners. We are certainly in favor of the message of Christ's passion being
proclaimed to the world. But we must use God's method for doing so - the
preaching of Christ crucified through His official ministry instituted in the
church. This is what Christ himself called his church to do (Matt. 28:20). This
is foolishness to man in these modern, high-tech, visually - dependent days,
just as it was in the days of the apostles. But the preaching is God's power
and wisdom unto salvation to every one that believes, whether Jew or Gentile (I
Cor.l:l8-24).
With
these things in mind we call you to avoid this movie and instead attend a
church where the passion of Christ is purely preached. The Protestant Reformed
Churches listed below are such churches. We welcome you to join us in worship
and under the Word.
Rev.
Charles J. Terpstra
1st
PRC, Holland